Alarmed fans and business leaders are ready to rally round crisis club Swansea City by putting together a rescue package to stop the Swans from sinking into oblivion.

The move, being coordinated by The Supporters Trust, follows the swingeing cutbacks made by new Swans owner Tony Petty.

They have issued a terse message to Petty: Give us back our club.

Already Supporters Trust chiefs have put together an action plan which mirrors similar moves at Chesterfield and Lincoln where fans took control of clubs who were also heading towards administration.

Their People Power move would give the Swans the feeling of being run by the local community, in the short-term at least, and would guarantee professional football in the city.

Wales on Sunday

understands that Trust chiefs are lining up some significant financial backing from "name" business figures within the Swansea area, who have become alarmed by Petty's actions.

A leading football figure, who understands how to run a football club, is also being approached.

Swansea City Council are also being urged to play their part.

But first the fans need Petty to agree to hand over control, just days after he purchased the Swans for a token #1 from Mike Lewis.

The Supporters' Trust plan to pile on the pressure in the next 48 hours.

Tomorrow night they are holding an open meeting at the city's Patti Pavilion (7.30pm) where fans are expected to turn out in huge numbers to express their disgust at what Petty has done and their support for him to hand back the club immediately

Trust officials are also organising a march from Castle Square to The Vetch before Tuesday night's LDV Vans clash with Brighton.

Their action plan is being put together after Petty followed his warning about cutbacks in a Wales on Sunday article last weekend by sacking seven players and telling the others to take 70 per cent pay cuts.

Most of Colin Addison's men travelled to yesterday's Division Three game at Southend, despite the horrendous off-the-field problems.

Matthew Bound looks as if he will join Rushden. But Roger Freestone has put off a move to Premiership Bolton and Stuart Roberts is resfusing to join Wycombe in the hope that people power carries the day.

A Supporters' Trust spokesman said: "Fans are unanimous in their utter condemnation of Mr Petty and are concerned about the future of the club.

"The very existence of professional football in Swansea is at risk.

"His actions are extreme, without thought and totally unnecessary.

"We condemn the sackings and treatment of the players. The fans support the staff, be they players or back-room people." The spokesman went on: "This is a crisis and we urge Swansea fans to turn up at Monday's meeting to help our club's very existence.

"Support is needed otherwise relegation out of the Football League, the loss of our ground and the eventual loss of our club will become a reality.

"As a top 20 city in the UK, it is imperative that we continue to have professional football in Swansea. We call upon businesses, our council and supporters to unite behind one cause - rescue our club."

Petty has gone back to Australia and could not be contacted last night.

He is said to be ready to stand for the equivalent of English FA chief Adam Crozier's role with the Australian Football Federation.

Representatives from the PFA, the players' union, arrive in Swansea tomorrow to try to sort out the mess.

They are thought to be ready to give the Swans a bridging loan to cover players' wages, with the money being paid back to the union via pools and TV money Swansea receive from the Football League.

But Petty holds the key to everything - although it remains to be seen just when he is next seen in Swansea. If he is!